Several years have passed since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in August 2021. SEM has conducted a thorough analysis of the situation in the country. Recent reports (as of April 2025) show that the overall security situation in Afghanistan has improved significantly across the country compared to when the Taliban took power. SEM’s analysis shows that the socio-economic situation has also improved slightly.
The overall security situation must be distinguished from the human rights situation, which has continued to deteriorate under the Taliban, particularly for women. Of course, SEM continues to take this into account, and people who need protection for this reason receive it.
Many questions remain regarding Afghanistan – we answer the most important ones below.
-
Fact sheet «Wiederaufnahme der Anordnung des Wegweisungsvollzugs nach Afghanistan» (PDF, 152 kB, 27.03.2025)
(This document is not available in English)
-
Fact sheet «Praxisänderung weibliche afghanische Asylsuchende» (PDF, 87 kB, 21.06.2024)
(This document is not available in English)
Direct links to:
General
Does Switzerland have a representation in Afghanistan?
Yes. The SDC reopened its office in Afghanistan in March 2025. A team of experts from the Swiss Humanitarian Aid Unit (SHA) resumed work in Kabul the same month. However, political matters and consular services remain the responsibility of the Swiss embassy in Islamabad, Pakistan.
Why do so many asylum seekers come from Afghanistan?
Since 2021, Afghanistan has been the most important country of origin for asylum seekers in Switzerland and the second most important country of origin for asylum seekers in Europe after Syria. Only a minority of Afghans who apply for asylum in Switzerland (or in Europe) come directly from Afghanistan. The majority have already spent years outside the country – many of them in Iran and/or Turkey, some also in Pakistan. According to UNHCR estimates, there are currently 4.5 million Afghans in Iran and 2.8 million in Pakistan. There are at least 150,000 in Turkey. Since 2021, these three countries have increased pressure on Afghan nationals to return to their home country – which has led to an increase in asylum migration to Europe and Switzerland.
Humanitarian Visas
Who can apply for a humanitarian visa?
Persons whose life and limb are in concrete, immediate and serious danger in their home country or country of origin may submit an application for a humanitarian visa in person to a Swiss diplomatic mission or consular post abroad that is entitled to issue visas (Art. 4 para. 2 of the Ordinance on Entry and the Issuance of Visas [VEV]). There is no legal entitlement to the issuance of a visa.
Where can an application for a humanitarian visa be submitted?
At present, such an application can only be submitted at a Swiss representation abroad that is outside Afghan territory and authorised to issue visas (e.g. in Islamabad, Tehran or Istanbul).
Is there a possibility to find out in advance whether the application for a humanitarian visa has a chance of being issued?
There is a possibility to request informal advice on the chances in writing from a Swiss representation. Such a request must be sufficiently substantiated and proven so that a preliminary assessment can be made (this includes a description of the immediate, concrete and serious threat, data on the person concerned, and a description of the connection to Switzerland). General and unsubstantiated statements are not sufficient. The initial examination is an informal preliminary assessment; a final examination and a formal decision are only possible during the personal interview with the Swiss representation.
Who examines the application for a humanitarian visa?
The Swiss diplomatic mission abroad examines the applications in cooperation with the SEM. There is no legal entitlement to the issuance of a visa.
What criteria must be met for the issuance of a humanitarian visa?
Fundamental criteria must be met cumulatively for a humanitarian visa to be granted:
Firstly, there must be proof of an immediate, specific and serious threat to life and limb. Based on the situation in Afghanistan, this threat must be individual, clearly defined, and directly life-threatening (simply belonging to a potentially at-risk group is not sufficient).
Secondly, the applicant must have a current and close connection to Switzerland. This criterion is part of an overall assessment. Whether the connection is sufficiently close and up to date depends on the specific circumstances of the individual case.
In addition to these two main criteria, other factors may also be considered – such as ties to Switzerland beyond the immediate connection, the prospect of integration in Switzerland, or the impossibility of seeking protection in another country.
Is it possible to leave the country of residence with a humanitarian visa?
With the issuance of a humanitarian visa pursuant to Art. 4 para. 2 VEV, the person concerned is entitled to enter Switzerland. However, this does not guarantee effective departure from the country of residence. The person concerned is responsible for organizing his or her departure from the country of residence.
Certain states do not allow the person to leave the country if he or she is staying illegally and/or does not have a passport from his or her home country. A laissez-passer issued by Switzerland does not serve as a substitute for a passport and only entitles the holder to enter Switzerland. The Swiss authorities have no influence on these restrictions in the country of residence.
Family reunion
For whom is there the possibility of family reunification?
For members of the nuclear family (spouses and unmarried children up to the age of 18), there is the possibility of family reunification in accordance with the applicable provisions under the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration or the Asylum Act.
Where must the applications be submitted and who examines them?
The authority to which applications for family reunification must be submitted differs depending on the residence / settlement permit of the person living in Switzerland:
- Applications from foreign persons with a residence permit B (Art. 44 AIG) or a settlement permit C (Art. 43 AIG).
Applications must be submitted to the competent migration authority of the applicant's canton of residence. The canton is responsible for assessing the application and answering any questions in this regard. In addition, the person to be reunified with must submit a visa application to a Swiss representation with a consular section.
- Applications from provisionally admitted persons with an F permit (Art. 85c AIG)
Applications must be submitted to the competent migration authority of the applicant's canton of residence. The canton examines the application in a cantonal preliminary procedure, after which the applications are sent to the SEM for further processing and decision.
- Applications from recognised refugees entitled to asylum with a B residence permit or a C settlement permit (Art. 51 Para. 4 Asylum Act)
Applications for family asylum must be submitted in the form of a letter by mail to the SEM (State Secretariat for Migration SEM, Quellenweg 6, 3003 Bern-Wabern). For this purpose, the SEM requires the N-number of the recognised refugee, precise details of the persons for whom reunification is requested, as well as suitable evidence of the family relationship.
Is a visa required for entry in the context of family reunification?
Yes, a visa is required for entry to Switzerland. Corresponding applications must be submitted in person to a foreign representation.
My partner does not have any documents from his or her home country. Who should she or he contact to obtain these documents?
The de facto Afghan authorities are responsible for issuing official identity documents.
Is it possible to leave the country of residence with an entry permit for family reunification?
Once an entry authorization for family reunification has been issued, the person concerned is entitled to enter Switzerland. However, this does not guarantee effective departure from the country of residence. The person concerned is responsible for organizing his or her departure from the country of residence.
Certain states do not allow the person to leave the country if he or she is staying illegally and/or does not have a passport from his or her home country. A laissez-passer issued by Switzerland does not serve as a substitute for a passport and only entitles the holder to enter Switzerland. The Swiss authorities have no influence on these restrictions in the country of residence.
Help on the ground
How is Switzerland supporting the Afghan population?
Switzerland supports Afghan refugees in the region through various projects in Afghanistan, Iran and Pakistan. Since March 2025, the SDC has once again had a local presence in Afghanistan, allowing it to implement its humanitarian aid programme directly on the ground. With an annual budget of CHF 25 million, the programme focuses on supporting civil society – particularly women and girls – and improving food security in rural areas.
Assessment of asylum applications from Afghan nationals
What does SEM’s change in practice from July 2023 mean for women and girls from Afghanistan?
The SEM has developed a new practice for women and girls from Afghanistan, which came into effect on 17 July 2023.
Change in practice:
The situation of women and girls in Afghanistan has continuously worsened in many areas of life since the Taliban came to power. The numerous restrictions and imposed behaviours have a serious impact on their fundamental human rights and massively restrict their basic rights. Against this background, female asylum seekers from Afghanistan can be considered victims of discriminatory legislation (belonging to a certain social group) as well as of religiously motivated persecution - if other persecution motives relevant under refugee law do not come into effect anyway - and refugee status must be granted to them. The SEM will continue to examine their applications on a case-by-case basis.
Formalities:
Afghans whose asylum application was rejected in the past, who have been granted temporary admission or derivative refugee status, are entitled to submit a written application to the SEM for the granting of original refugee status and asylum against the background of this change in practice. Afghan applicants who have not yet undergone an asylum procedure must go to a Federal Asylum Centre (FAC) and go through the ordinary asylum procedure.
Written applications must meet the usual formal requirements in order to be processed by the SEM. Thus, the application must be submitted to the SEM in writing by post (Staatssekretariat für Migration, Quellenweg 6, 3003 Bern) or - if electronically - via PrivaSphere (cf. Electronic legal transactions with the authorities). The application and any power of attorney must contain the signature of the person(s) making the application. If the inclusion of the spouse/partner pursuant to Art. 51 para. 1 Asylum Act in the asylum and refugee status of his/her spouse/partner is requested, he/she must be listed by name; he/she must also sign the application/authorisation. If joint minor children are included in the application, they must be listed by name and the application/authorisation must be signed by both parents. Female applicants of full age must submit an independent application, male applicants of full age can neither be included in the application of the parents nor derivatively included in the refugee status (of the mother).
The SEM points out at this point that the processing of subsequent applications may take some time.
What does SEM’s change in practice from April 2025 mean in concrete terms, and who is affected by it?
The SEM has concluded that, as of mid-April 2025, the enforcement of removal orders to Afghanistan is reasonable for a specific group of people under certain conditions. Specifically, this applies to adult Afghan men who are in good health, who are alone in Switzerland, and who have a stable and reliable support network in their home country that would allow them to reintegrate socially and professionally. If their asylum application is rejected, they can be ordered to leave Switzerland and will no longer be granted temporary admission. This change in practice primarily affects Afghan asylum seekers with ongoing asylum procedures who fall into the above-mentioned category.
Are temporarily admitted persons also affected by the change in practice?
SEM reserves the right to carry out targeted reviews of temporary admissions that have already been granted on a case-by-case basis. Afghan nationals who qualify as refugees and have been granted asylum are not affected by the change in practice.
Further information on the change in practice can be found in the March 2025 press release and in the factsheet «Wiederaufnahme der Anordnung des Wegweisungsvollzugs nach Afghanistan» (PDF, 152 kB, 27.03.2025).
Deportations of Afghan Asylum Seekers
Are removals to Afghanistan being enforced?
Deportations to Afghanistan may be enforced under certain circumstances (see also ‘Assessment of asylum applications from Afghan nationals’).
Since the end of September 2024, it is technically possible to return to Afghanistan: air traffic has stabilised, Kabul airport is operating normally and several airlines serve the destination. In order to be able to return, whether voluntarily or compulsorily, individuals must be in possession of a valid travel document (passport or laissez-passer) issued by the de facto authorities in Kabul since August 2021.
Documentation
-
Fact sheet «Wiederaufnahme der Anordnung des Wegweisungsvollzugs nach Afghanistan» (PDF, 152 kB, 27.03.2025)
(This document is not available in English)
-
Fact sheet «Praxisänderung weibliche afghanische Asylsuchende» (PDF, 87 kB, 21.06.2024)
(This document is not available in English)
- Country of Origin Information (COI)
Last modification 20.05.2025
